THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION The Emancipation Proclamation was criticized at the time for freeing only
the slaves over which the Union had no power. Although most slaves were not freed immediately,
the Proclamation brought freedom to thousands of slaves the day it went into effect in parts of nine
of the ten states to which it applied. Texas was the tenth state that took time for the proclamation
to take effect.
The Emancipation Proclamation was criticized at the time for freeing only
the slaves over which the Union had no power. Although most slaves were not freed immediately,
the Proclamation brought freedom to thousands of slaves the day it went into effect in parts of nine
of the ten states to which it applied. Texas was the tenth state that took time for the proclamation
to take effect.